The Duke of Sussex has been caught up in a family rift with Prince William and their father, King Charles, for several years, but the hope of a reconciliation with his older brother is looking unlikely

The reported rift between Harry and William is ongoing(Image: Getty Images)

A reconciliation between Prince Harry and his older brother, Prince William, is looking doubtful, while King Charles may only mend ties with his youngest son if he stops doing one thing.

Tensions have been high between the Duke of Sussex and his brother and father ever since he sensationally stepped down as a working member of the Royal Family in 2020 alongside his wife, Meghan Markle.

The Sussexes sought a new life for themselves and became permanent residents in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But since then the couple have unleashed a string of accusations against the royal family, and Harry himself admits they might “never forgive” him.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working members of the Royal Family in 2020(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

After finding their feet in the sunshine state of California, Harry and Meghan sat down for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, just months before Lilibet was born. It aired some serious claims against the Royal Family, including someone allegedly asking Meghan about the colour of Archie’s skin before he was born.

In another surprising turn, Harry released his explosive memoir Spare in January 2023, which sent shockwaves across the nation. This caused even more tension between his father and brother, as Harry disclosed further claims against his family.

In one claim, he said his father “did not hug” him when his mother, Princess Diana, died, and in another, he alleged that Charles had said to Diana, “Wonderful. You have given me an heir and a spare. You have done your job.” Harry also claimed that he and William had a physical fight over his relationship with Meghan.

It’s feared that Harry’s fractured relationship with William is “much harder to repair” following the claims made in Spare. But despite the memoir being released over two years ago, the Duke says there is plenty of material that never made it into the book. But Harry said that releasing this could see his older brother “never forgive” him.

Harry said his older brother might ‘never forgive’ him 

After releasing the 400-page memoir, Harry claimed he originally had 800 pages written. He said at the time: “It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.”

“But there are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.

“Now you could argue that some of the stuff I’ve put in there, well, they will never forgive me anyway.”

However, earlier this month, sources said Charles would welcome a reunion with Harry, but only if he scales back his public attacks on the family and stops the “endless” interviews. The warning came after senior aides from Charles and Harry’s teams came together in a secret peace summit in London.

A royal source exclusively told the Mirror: “The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and as he has done in the past is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow such an occasion. It’s not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting their roles, but of course this is a significant moment.

Sources have said Charles would welcome a reconciliation with Harry(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“Senior members of the family have in the past said to Harry that he must both stop his attacks on the family as well as giving endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication. If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the Duke of Sussex, then there may be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father.

“As for his relationship with his brother, that is a different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair.”